We tested 350+ vacuums. Most cost more than a decent laptop. We threw money at the problem—$20 to $1600, average around $282—looking for performance that didn’t break the bank.
We found gems.
They cost $200 or less. They don’t feel like trash. They clean. Sometimes better than the pricey ones.
“Price is a feature.” — Not really, but in this category, it’s a relief.
Under $200
The Shark Navigator NV361 (or NV360)
It’s been four years. Still working.
This Shark has hung around our editor’s home since 2021. Then we re-tested in 2023. It stayed. It’s an older model now, so the price dropped. That’s how you get a deal.
Corded upright. Heavy duty. The suction is aggressive, especially on carpets. The bin is 0.9 quarts, which is enough to empty your whole house without a pause. It swivels. It lifts. You can detach the canister for stairs. It’s bulky, sure. But it gets the job done.
Weight: 16.9 lbs
Cord: 25 ft
Why it wins: Durability. Bang for buck.
The Levoit LVAC-111 (LVAC-201 Series)
Want nimble? Go cordless.
Our editor owns the Shark. She also owns this. She uses them side by side. The Levoit wins on convenience. It picks up toddler crumbs, hair, grime. It leaves lines in the carpet like it means it.
It weighs 3.2 lbs. Including the battery. You can lift this up a staircase without swearing. The swivel steering reaches under cribs. The battery light tells you when you’re dying. She cleaned her split-level home twice on one charge.
Emptying is easy. Hair doesn’t wrap. You can wash the filters monthly.
Weight: 3.2 lbs
Battery: ~30 mins (sometimes 45)
Why it wins: It’s light. It’s easy. It just works.
The Kenmore Intuition 8875
Hate dust? Hate allergens? Buy bags.
This upright is similar to the Shark but keeps everything in. When you’re done, you pull a tab. The full bag drops out. Hands-free. No cloud of dust explodes in your face.
Great for allergies. You have to buy replacement bags, though. It comes with four in the box. That helps. One quirk: the swivel isn’t full. It feels stiff at first. Get used to it. It’s light, at 14 pounds.
Weight: 14 lbs
Cord: 30 ft
Why it wins: Sealed system. Hygienic.
Under $150
The Bissell 2315 CleanView Swivel Pet
The starter vacuum.
This thing has a cult following. Our editors keep coming back to it. Tested in 2024. Tested in 2030 (just kidding). But one editor still has hers from years ago. Cheaper than the Bissell CrossWave, cheaper than the Dyson. It cleans the whole house.
The 27-foot cord gives you range. The swivel head helps. Edge cleaning is good because of the bristles. It’s loose in the joints. Feels a bit plastic. But it picks up pet hair and dirt like it owes them money.
Weight: 15 lbs
Cord: 27 ft
Why it wins: Reliable. Basic. It stays.
The Kenmore 12530 Bagged Upright
Another upright. Another good one.
Light. Easy to maneuver. Has a crevice tool and a brush tool. It doesn’t do anything fancy. It just cleans. If you want simplicity without the cordless hassle, this is it. Not a swivel, but light enough that you don’t care.
Why it wins: Simplicity.
The Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro (2306A)
Wait. Wet and dry?
If you have tile. Only tile. Or sealed wood. This vacs and mops. It uses a clean water tank and a dirty water tank. You mix detergent in. You push it over dirt. It sucks the gunk up while cleaning the surface.
Don’t use this on rugs. Don’t use this on unsealed wood. For kitchen messes? Dog paw prints? Egg drop at the dining table? This is the hero.
Why it wins: Two-in-one convenience.
The Dirt Devil Endure
Bagless. Basic. Loud?
It’s an upright. It’s cheap. It works on small messes. If your budget is tight—really tight—and you just need to keep dust bunnies away from your kids, this does the trick. The brush roll auto-shutoff is nice for hard floors. The dust canister fills fast, but it’s small.
Why it wins: The lowest price for upright utility.
The iRobot Roomba 694 Robot
Lazy is a feature.
It misses edges. It gets stuck. It fights with cords. But you can just hit “clean” on your phone. It runs once a week. You empty it later. For daily maintenance, not deep cleaning. It complements a vacuum; it doesn’t replace one. But having a robot under your feet while you cook? Hard to argue with that.
Battery: 90 mins
Why it wins: Autonomy. It cleans while you sleep (or ignore it).
The Black+Decker Powershot 302721
It’s a handheld. Barely.
Actually, it’s two devices. Detachable. The stick part reaches corners. The handheld part is for cars. 35 feet of cord means you won’t run out of power. The filter clogs, but you can shake it out. It’s under $40. For that price? You’re not looking for longevity. You’re looking to spot-clean your car or the dog’s crate.
Why it wins: Price. It costs nothing.
